Party authorities in the southern province of Ca Mau are looking into the abuses of power allegedly committed by an internal affairs official as they mull an appropriate punishment.

Initial investigations found that Huynh Anh Kiet, deputy director of the province's Internal Affairs Department, illegally intervened in the allocation of public land and made fraudulent claims about his work experience in order to boost his salary.

Local inspectors found Kiet managed to obtain the land use rights to a 900-square-meter plot in Quach Pham Commune where his brother serves as chairman. He forged documents to turn it into a ferry station in 2007. Conspiring with the person he placed in charge, Kiet illegally pocketed the profits.

Ca Mau transport authorities revoked Kiet's ferry license in December 2009 but he continued renting it to other people. He took in at least VND240 million (US$11,500) from the illegal ferry business.

Kiet also falsified his résumé, fabricating 10 years of experience and raising his professional level to receive a higher salary.